- Following a successful soft launch at Groundswell in July, Monil – a Norwegian virtual fencing company – is officially launching their offer to the UK market. With over 4000 collars in use in Norway and the UK, the UK marks the next phase of development for this exciting technology, bringing multiple benefits to beef and dairy farmers across the country
Used extensively in Norway, New Zealand, the USA, and South America, virtual fencing is relatively straightforward. Each cow wears a GPS tracked collar, which is linked to an app that can be used to define or ‘draw’ fences wherever the farmer wishes. The collars play ascending audible cues when an animal crosses a boundary before delivering a small shock, significantly less intense than that of a traditional electric fence, if the animal doesn’t obey the auditory cues.
An initial training period of around a week is required to teach the animals to respond appropriately to the collar. During this time, the animals learn to react to the audible cues alone and move away from boundaries without triggering a shock.
The system can be very successful in maximising pasture use and taking rotational grazing to the next level. It can also be used to protect endangered species in environmentally sensitive areas by using exclusion zones within the app.
Benefits of Monil’s virtual fencing solution include:
- Maximising pasture use and available nutrition:
Strip grazing is quick and easy with virtual fences moved at the swipe of a finger on the app
- Protection of endangered habitats / nesting sites:
Unlimited virtual fence posts mean fully customisable pastures
- Keeping animals away from dangerous terrain:
Exclusion zones can keep animals safely distanced from hazards
- Superior comfort and technology:
Monil’s top-mounted solar cells and GPS cellular housing means a stronger signal and more efficient charging
- Enhanced biodiversity:
Experience shows that by encouraging grazing of less favourable areas, biodiversity is improved when sunlight reaches previously shaded areas
After successful operation in Norway, the UK has been selected as the next step in a global rollout.
Torstein Nesse, CEO and co-founder of Monil said: “We are really excited to launch our virtual fencing solution to the UK market. We had some great feedback at Groundswell and some very promising conversations with potential customers, so we are excited to officially launch and meet our next customers.
“Virtual fencing is well established in Norway, and we think the UK is the perfect country to benefit from our experience to date. We have taken time to understand the nuances and differences between Norwegian and British farmers and are confident that our collars will help the UK beef and dairy sectors to maximise their productivity and reap the rewards of efficient grazing.”
Related news:
Nofence virtual fencing technology wins AgriScot Innovation Award
